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EUROPEAN PROJECTS AND STRATEGIES FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY DEVELOPMENT IN THE BLACK SEA AREA
Abstract
The transition to a sustainable energy system is one of the European Union's key strategic directions, in line with achieving climate neutrality by 2050, as outlined by the European Green Deal. The Black Sea region has considerable potential for renewable energy sources, particularly offshore wind, solar, and biomass. Due to this potential, the area has become a hub for European initiatives focused on increasing the share of renewable sources in the regional energy mix, and consequently, on energy security and reducing fossil fuel dependence, such as REPowerEU, CMA, Interreg NEXT, BSSC, BLOW, and BSSC. This paper aims to examine the progress made by each Black Sea riparian state in the field of renewable energy and to assess the policy frameworks and cooperation mechanisms designed to advance the energy transition across the region. It also assesses the social and economic implications of projects, their environmental impact, and their contribution to the regional energy transition. Findings indicate that coordinated national efforts, supported by innovation and cross-border collaboration, could transform the Black Sea into a regional renewable energy hub, while providing a replicable model for other maritime basins, such as the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of harmonizing legislation in the Black Sea region countries and implementing robust monitoring and evaluation strategies to ensure that climate and sustainable development objectives are achieved in an efficient and balanced manner.
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References9
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